Like the original in East Passyunk, this friendly Mexican spot is all about bold, flavorful tacos and Philly’s best cemitas—but this time, the party is outdoors in Fishtown. The small, open-air patio features a handful of yellow picnic tables, perfect for gathering with friends for a quick lunch or dinner. But it’s really built to grab and go, unless waiting to scarf down your cotija-coated elote is impossible. On a sunny day, it’s the place to be in the neighborhood for a refreshing tehucanso, plus anything topping the excellent housemade bread or tortillas. The tacos and cemitas maintain the same high standards as the original El Chingon—the birria and al pastor versions of both are juicy, deeply savory, and have just a hint of spice, and the crispy, classic cemita is still a gorgeous slab of crisp-fred chicken wrapped in a golden cocoon bun. If you’re looking for something snackier, both the guacamole, infused with a subtle hit of smokiness from the roasted tomatoes, and the chorizo-loaded fries are fantastic. On the weekends, there’s a margarita bar run by Bluebird Distilling just around the corner. They’re open until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, so it’s a perfect place for a fantastic late-night Mexican spread—with or without tequila.
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